J. Rose Online

So I got to Santa Maria about half past noon with no pit stops. Let me tell you, 3 1/2 hour drive, no pit stops and a pregnant woman who has been sipping on Starbucks and water do not mix! Right when I got to my step Grandma's house, better believe I went straight to the bathroom! LOL.

Anyways, I hung out with my family and had some good ole fashion filipino food! Something I totally miss. Oh yeah, right when I walked in, everyone greeted me and congratulated me on my pregnancy. I am like, OMG, my mom has a big mouth! HAHA!

Here are some pictures of my aunt Rosalie (my mom's half sister) and I. When we were younger, we were really close and hung out all the time! We're only 4 years apart, she's older of course. Anyways, we haven't taken pictures together in so long, we thought it was about time.

taken with her iphone.


taken with my camera

Later that evening, I picked up one of my childhood best friends, Adam, from his work and brought him back to my step Grandma's house so he can enjoy some good food and of course good company. He does hair and we decided to have him give me a trim. Since I'm pregos, I can't be dying my hair for the time being so he cut off a lot of the old color I had and let my natural hair color shine through. He actually cut off more than I anticipated and thinned out my hair a lot by layering it. It felt weird to me at first because my hair was actually down to my butt and it felt like he cut off at least 6 inches when it was really just about 2 1/2 inches.

After that, we headed over to Applebees where my half sister works as a bartender and payed her and the bar a quick visit. Had some appetizers and Adam had quite a few drinks and of course I had my NON alcoholic drinks. Adam and I played catch up and just chit chatted all night. He kept me up to date with what's going on in Santa Maria, I mean Myspace can only tell me so much. HAHA. Let me tell you, I miss hanging out with Adam soooo much. We even reminisced about our days in elementary school. We have known each other since we were in 6th grade.

I tried to chit chat with my sister, but she was pretty busy so we barely got to really talk.

She walked us out when we left and I got a few pictures in with Adam and with my sister.

my sister, Emily, and I. Do we even look like sisters? Kind of? Her co-workers say we have the same laugh, though.


And me and my bestest guy pal, Adam! I love this guy soooo much! He has got to be one of my most favorite persons in the whole world. I already miss him.

Then I took Adam home and luckily his parents were awake and I got to say hello to them and exchange a few words. I haven't seen them in years! I must bring my kids next time I'm in Santa Maria. The first question everyone asked me, of course, "Where are your boys?!"

I'm more than likely going to be coming back to Santa Maria sometime next year because believe it or not, it will be my 10 year high school reunion. Yup, Class of '99. I hope that we do have one. Adam and I are soooooooo there! And I hope it's sometime after May, after this new baby is born.

The next day, my family and I went to visit my Grandpa's grave. I just can't believe that it's already been a year since he passed away. I am not sad that he is gone, he is now resting in peace. He has lived a long life and I'm very sure it was filled with all that he wanted! When he passed away, he was with family. He did not die alone. My boys, his great grandkids, got to meet him and spend a few moments with him. And when they were with him, he had a great big smile on his face, I will always remember him with that smile.

He did not speak very much english, but with the little words that he and I exchanged over the years, it's like we still understood each other and still had fulfilling conversations. I know that may sound weird, but it doesn't and didn't feel weird.

My mom told me that I was the very first baby he ever took care of. He had come to the States the same year I was born. My mom says that I was his favorite grandkid.

Here is a picture of my brothers and I with my Grandpa when we were kids and one of us with him taken a couple of years ago.

Here's a collage I put together that I have in a frame in my computer room in memory of my Grandpa.

Top right: My mom, my grandpa and the boys when they were babies. Bottom right: My brothers and I when we were kids with my Grandpa. Bottom left: My grandpa with my oldest son when he was 7-8 months old.

When we were leaving his grave, I went to say good bye to him and I swear it didn't feel like I was talking to his headstone. I could totally picture his face and how he always looked everytime I left his house. I miss you, Grandpa.

And that was my weekend in Santa Maria. I don't really miss that city. I miss my friends and family more. I wish I could visit all the time, but unfortunately I just can't. Until next time, SM!